16 Reasons I Really Like My Teenagers!

While on jury duty last week, I met a Mom of a teenager who made it clear she hates this stage of parenthood. Having struggled with infertility, she and her husband adopted a baby boy 16 years ago. Life right now wasn't what she imagined---the anxiety of having a teenaged driver, but being so glad he can drive himself anywhere, the abyss of school life, and the woes of his attachment to a young lady.

Her resignation to misery while parenting a teenager was heartbreaking. (No, there wasn't enough time while on break to convince her that parents can really like their teenagers--she refused to believe that my eight children could be homeschooled AND socialized. She surely wasn't going to take parenting advice from me.) And though my teenagers and I butt heads and logic skills often, I'm very thankful that I LIKE them!

1) They make me laugh. They're young adults, but they still don't take life too seriously. They remind me to be silly and lighten up.

2) They corner me while in the car and make me listen to their music. I mentioned in an earlier post that I know I'm old because I don't like all of the music my teenagers like. Yesterday, my oldest, the infamous Ink Slinger, played the particular music in question while I was driving and couldn't reach the iPod without causing an accident. I had to admit that I hadn't listened carefully enough to the music the first time, and it really wasn't as bad as I said it was. (They also thoughtfully play music I love when we're in the car.)


3) They forgive me. At an age when all too often so many hurts have built a wall between parents and teenagers, I'm grateful my teenagers see me for the sinner I am and graciously forgive me when I have wronged them.


4) They defend me. Maybe to a fault. 


5) They love my cooking and want instant meals at midnight. What joy there is in having teenagers who love my cooking. "You need to make more of that." "You need to keep lots of that in the fridge."  "This is very good, Mommy." It's also amusing to hear them ask for instant meals at midnight. If you find frozen mini tacos or pot pies in the freezer, they belong to the teenagers in the house because I can't keep up with their appetites as well as Stouffer's can.


6) They force me to know the difference between a conviction and a preference. 


7) They remind me to not slack up in being a diligent and consistent parent with the younger siblings. Sometimes this is painful, and often their perception is off, but it's good to be reminded to not get lazy or indifferent.

8) They like to talk to me. They share their thoughts on movies and books and interrupt me to read a great line from a great read. They want me to see funny videos and watch fight scenes, and they care what I think.

9) They think I'm the measure of a wife and Mama. At least for now. They'll grow out of that, but meanwhile, it's humbling to have conversations like this.

Me: You can't just give a baby candy every time you change a diaper!
Son: Why not?
Me: Because that's not how you do it. Besides, your future wife is going to think you had a very bad mother.
Son: Um, no, she'll be too busy trying to be just like you.

10) They love the LORD. And the Word. And the church. And their Pastor.

11) They're content. You won't hear them complaining about not having the latest computer game or name-brand jeans or cell-phone. They sure could use more space in their bedroom, but cheerfully make do. When guilt overwhelms me about what we can't or haven't provided, their contentment cheers and comforts me.

12) They're manly. Obviously when my daughter is a teenager, this one won't apply to her. :)  I like that I have manly teenaged sons. They open the car door for me. They load the groceries. They love on babies and wrestle with their brother and each other. They LOOK like men. They apologize and ask for forgiveness. They can handle edged weapons, and there's no doubt they'd give up their lives to protect me. 


13) I can cry in front of them. They jokingly roll their eyes or shake their heads, but they respect those tears that flow when my heart is overwhelmed by God's goodness, by His Word, by the wise writings of godly men, or by my own sin.


14) They always remember the chocolate. A trip to the store for milk means the guys will come back with at least three giant-sized Hershey chocolate bars. Even when I haven't asked for any. 


15) They graciously correct my pronunciation of words. Enough said.

16) They're walking pictures of the grace of God.
I cringe to think of what the tapes of my early parenting years would show. I know I'd hang my head in shame. I think these two were the guinea pigs in many ways, and so it's clear I can't take a bit of credit for their being so likable. They are testimonies of God's grace poured out in every area of my life.

There's more. There's so much more. But, I'll stop here.

Now if there was ever a bloggy-thingy in which everyone did their own post like another one (I know there's a proper name for it), I think this should be it! Come up with your own list, and let others know (and your teenagers) why life with a teenager, by God's grace, is a magnificent thing.

Much love,
Trisha